A roof replacement looks like chaos from the driveway, but it follows a clear, repeatable order. Knowing the steps ahead of time makes the day far less stressful, and a little preparation protects your belongings. Here is what actually happens, start to finish, and what you can do to get ready.
Before the crew arrives: how to prepare
A day or two of prep saves a lot of headaches. In the days before the job:
- Move cars out of the driveway and garage, so there is room for materials and the dumpster and your car is clear of falling debris.
- Take down wall decorations, mirrors, and anything fragile on high shelves, because the vibration from the roof can knock them loose.
- Cover stored items in the attic with plastic or old sheets, since tear-off shakes dust and debris loose up there.
- Secure pets somewhere quiet, and plan to keep kids away from the work zone.
- Give your neighbors a heads-up about the noise and the equipment near the property line.
- Clear the yard of patio furniture, the grill, and toys, and unlock any gates so the crew can reach all sides of the house.
One more thing before day one: make sure your roofer carries both liability insurance and workers compensation, and that it is current. This is basic protection if anything goes wrong on your property. Our guide on how to verify a roofer is licensed and insured shows you how.
The day of: step by step
Most crews arrive early, often between 7 and 8 in the morning. From there, the job follows this order:
- Delivery and setup. Materials are dropped near the roof access, and the crew photographs the existing roof and sets up their tools.
- Property protection. Tarps and plywood go up along the roofline and over landscaping, the patio, and any pool, to catch falling debris.
- Tear-off. The old shingles and underlayment come off in sections. This is the loudest, messiest part of the day.
- Deck inspection. With the roof bare, the crew checks the wood decking and replaces any that is rotted or damaged.